Some time ago the government and emergency planners recognised that legislation which enabled the country to respond to emergencies, was outdated. Government set about a period of consultation, during which time the Foot and Mouth epidemic and flooding occurred and the fuel protest happened. All of these only served to highlight the lack of planning and preparation available to deal with such disruptions. The terrible events of 11 September 2003 gave even more impetus to pushing through the change.
In 2004 the Civil Contingencies Act came into force. For the first time since the days of the cold war, a radical change in emergency planning was on the cards, placing legal duties on all the organisations responsible for responding to emergencies and those who support the responders, to plan, respond and share information.
Under the act local authorities, such as St Edmundsbury Borough Council, are now a category one responder, alongside the emergency services, with a legal duty now to plan and respond:
- in support of the emergency services; and
- in support of the community it serves.
For more information contact:
Alan Points
District Emergency Planning Officer
West Suffolk House
Western Way
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP33 3YU
Phone: 01284 758461
Email: alan.points@stedsbc.gov.uk
Useful links
